Sam Darnold was closely watching Kirk Cousins sweepstakes: 'Everything worked out for the best'

Sam Darnold admitted that he was just as curious as the rest of us about where prized free-agent Kirk Cousins would end up this offseason. In case you were living in a cave for the past eight months, the Jets pursued Cousins before he ultimately signed with the Vikings, who will visit MetLife Stadium this weekend.

The Daily News reported in March that the Jets offered Cousins $30 million per year – or $6 million more than Minnesota’s fully guaranteed 3-year, $84 million deal – before he turned down Gang Green.

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“I was definitely following it,” Darnold said Monday. “During the draft process, there’s nothing really else to pay attention to. Because I’m not on a team. We’re not trying to dial up anything. I’m not at USC trying to figure out what we’re going to do the next year. And I’m not on an NFL team trying to figure it out.”

Sam Darnold was very much aware of the Kirk Cousins rumors in the offseason. (AP Photos)

“So, I was just really paying attention – especially during that time— definitely paying attention to Kirk free-agent wise and trying to understand what team maybe I could go to (and) who might pick me up,” Darnold continued. “So, yeah, I was definitely thinking about all that stuff during the draft process. But at the same time, I knew I didn’t have any control over it. But yeah, I was definitely paying attention and was aware of all of it.”

Todd Bowles reiterated what he said months ago after Cousins opted to go elsewhere.

“Everything worked out for the best, I think.”

Sam Darnold on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes

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“It’s never disappointing in free agency,” Bowles said Monday. “You know you have a chance at somebody. That doesn’t guarantee you anybody. So, you just move on. You always have a Plan A, B, C and D… So, you just move on to the next phase of the plan.”

That next phase included signing Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, and most importantly, pulling off a trade with the Colts to better position themselves for a quarterback in the draft.

“Everything worked out for the best, I think,” Darnold said.

INJURY REPORT

Bowles said it’s too early to know whether cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (quad), who has missed the past two games, and Buster Skrine, who’s still in the concussion protocol after getting hurt in Week 5, will play this week.

RB Eli McGuire (foot) and safety Rontez Miles (knee) are eligible to practice this week.